Apparatus suitable for securing an article under a vehicle

Abstract

An apparatus is provided that is suitable for securing an article (e.g., a spare tire and wheel assembly) suspended in an elevated position underneath a support article (e.g., a vehicle) by a resilient support member. The apparatus includes a stationary bracket, outer and inner members, a compression spring, and a catch member. The stationary bracket is connected to the support article and includes a retaining formation. The outer member includes a passageway, an inner seating surface, and at least one slot-like formation. The inner member, which includes an end surface, is telescopingly received within the outer member and is connected to the resilient support member. The compression spring is positioned between the inner seating surface of the outer member and the end surface of the inner member and biases the inner and outer members with respect to one another. The catch member is connected to the inner cylinder, and includes at least one outwardly biased member designed to pass through the slot-like formation of the outer member and engage the retaining formation of the stationary bracket should the resilient support member break or structurally fail in service. A method for using the apparatus is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus suitable for securing a spare tire and wheel assembly suspended in an elevated position underneath a vehicle by a resilient support member, said apparatus comprising: a stationary bracket connected to the body portion of the vehicle, said stationary bracket including a retaining formation;   an outer member including a passageway for the resilient support member to pass through, an inner seating surface, a wall having an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, and at least one slot-like formation extending through said wall between said inner wall surface and said outer wall surface;   an inner member having an end surface, said inner member being connected to the resilient support member and telescopingly received within said outer member;   a spring positioned between said inner seating surface of said outer member and said end surface of said inner member for biasing the inner and outer members with respect to one another; and   a catch member in connection with said inner member, wherein said catch member includes at least one outwardly biased member designed to selectively pass through said slot-like formation and to engage said retaining formation should the resilient member structurally fail.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including a carrier bracket designed to secure a spare tire. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said carrier bracket includes a locking device. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said locking device is a nut. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said locking device includes a washer. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said retaining formation includes an inwardly extending annular flange. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner and outer members are generally cylindrical. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of said inner wall surface of said outer member between said inner seating surface and said slot-like formation includes a surface deformation. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a seal to protect the components of the apparatus contained within said stationary bracket from undesirable outside elements. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein at least one seal is positioned in close proximity to a space formed between said stationary bracket and said outer member. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus suitable for securing an article exerting a force away from the apparatus and secured to a support article by a resilient support member, said apparatus comprising: a stationary bracket connected to a support article, said stationary bracket including a retaining formation;   an outer member including a passageway for the resilient support member to pass through, an inner seating surface, a wall having an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, and at least one slot-like formation extending through said wall between said inner and said outer wall surface;   an inner member having an end surface, said inner member being connected to the resilient support member and telescopingly received within said outer member;   a spring positioned between said inner seating surface of said outer member and said end surface of said inner member for biasing the inner and outer members with respect to one another; and   a catch member in connection with said inner member, wherein said catch member includes at least one outwardly biased member designed to selectively pass through said slot-like formation and to engage said retaining formation should the resilient member structurally fail.   
     
     
       12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said retaining formation includes an inwardly extending annular flange. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said inner and outer members are generally cylindrical. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein a portion of said inner wall surface of said outer member includes a surface deformation. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said apparatus includes a seal to protect the components of the apparatus contained within said stationary bracket from undesirable outside elements. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus as recited in claimed 15, wherein at least one seal is positioned in close proximity to a space formed between said stationary bracket and said outer member. 
     
     
       17. A method for securing an article connected by a support member to a support article, including the steps of: providing an apparatus including (i) a stationary bracket connected to a support article, said stationary bracket including a retaining formation; (ii) an outer member including a passageway for the resilient support member to pass through, an inner seating surface, a wall having an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, and at least one slot-like formation extending through said wall between said inner and said outer wall surface; (iii) an inner member having an end surface, said inner member being connected to the resilient support member and telescopingly received within said outer member; (iv) a spring positioned in a compressed configuration between said inner seating surface of said outer member and said end surface of said inner member for biasing the inner and outer members with respect to one another; and (v) a catch member in connection with said inner member, wherein said catch member includes at least one outwardly biased member designed to selectively pass through said slot-like formation; and,   at least partially decompressing the spring upon the disconnection of said support member so as to at least partially force said catch member into position relative to said slot-like formation whereby said outwardly biased member extends through said slot-like formation and engages said stationary bracket.   
     
     
       18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein said outwardly biased member engages said retaining formation of said stationary bracket.